In American history, Christmastime has been wartime many times. And yet, in past conflicts our country seemed more motivated to win than it does today.

On Christmas Day 1776, Gen. George Washington crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey to attack the Hessian mercenaries at Trenton. The password for the day was “Victory or Death.” ‘Nuff said.

During the Civil War, on Dec. 20, 1864, Union General William T. Sherman completed his legendary – Southerners say infamous – March to the Sea. A triumphant Sherman sent a message to President Abraham Lincoln: “I beg to present you as a Christmas Gift the City of Savannah.”

And during World War II, on Dec. 25, 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a Christmas radio message to the “fighting men” of the U.S. Merchant Marine, those brave souls charged with carrying cargo across oceans swarming with deadly U-boats. FDR’s rhetoric was stirring; a pledge that “the steel walls of Hitler’s and Hirohito’s brutal empires will draw tight about their throats.”

The common thread in those conflict-ridden Christmases, of course, was that the United States won the war.

Now fast-forward to the American leaders of today – and how they express themselves about the current war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan. For openers, we might consider Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s “Holiday message to the troops,” easily findable on her Web site, or on YouTube. She mentions “heroism” and “sacrifice,” but her emphasis is on “wishing you a safe return home.”

What word don’t you hear in her spiel? Answer: “Victory.”

Even more interestingly, President Bush’s message to our armed forces, issued Dec. 21, was similarly devoid of the word “victory.” The best Bush could say was that he was “proud” to be the commander in chief of “the greatest force for freedom in the history of the world.” That’s nice, although not exactly Pattonesque.

To be sure, Bush has used the “V” word many times in the past. But “the surge” and his fighting presidency seem to be winding down at about the same time.

Indeed, now it’s the Iranians who are claiming victory over the United States, crowing about their plans to build 19 more nuclear power plants. And why do you think they want them?

For the past seven Christmases, our armed forces have been in hot zones. Now, many Americans, and their leaders – in both parties – seem to be growing weary of the effort.

But our adversaries, past and potential, aren’t wearying; they are gearing up. By the way, which country was doing most of the fighting against us in Korea on Christmas Day 1950? Ah yes, the People’s Republic of China. And it was China’s Chairman Mao who dubbed the United States a “paper tiger.”

The United States is not a paper tiger, but if other countries get the mistaken idea that we are, future Christmas nights will be anything but silent.